Girl Out of Water
What’s inside...
Anise Sawyer's summer plans are disrupted when a car wreck leaves her aunt with two broken legs. She moves to Nebraska to care for her three young cousins and meets a charismatic skater named Lincoln who introduces her to skateboarding. As she grows closer to Lincoln and becomes more involved with her cousins, she loses touch with her friends back home and questions if she will end up like her absent mother, who has a history of leaving loved ones behind. This coming-of-age story explores themes of family, sacrifice, and self-discovery.
Age
14-17
Length
350 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Anise Sawyer
Wade Sawyer
Lincoln
Discussion points
How did Anise's feelings change when she had to leave her home for Nebraska, and how would you feel in her situation?
What did you learn about friendship from Anise's interactions with Lincoln and Tess?
Anise faces challenges when she's surfing and when she's out of her comfort zone in Nebraska. What does the book teach us about facing and overcoming challenges?
How do the relationships Anise has with her family influence her actions and decisions throughout the story?
What does 'home' mean to Anise by the end of the book, and how does that compare to what you consider 'home'?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about moving or being in unfamiliar situations, relating it to Anise’s experiences.
Discuss the importance of adaptability and learning new skills, drawing parallels to Anise's journey from a skilled surfer to trying new things in Nebraska.
Explore themes of friendship by discussing how Anise’s interactions with new friends helped her grow, and ask your child about their personal experiences with friends.
Use examples from the book to have a conversation about family dynamics and support systems, and how they impact personal growth and decision making.
After finishing the book, talk about how Anise’s definition of 'home' evolves, and encourage your child to describe what 'home' means to them.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of change
Explanation: The protagonist, Anise, is uprooted from her comfortable summer plans and must adapt to a new environment when she moves to Nebraska. This disrupts her previously laid plans and forces her to confront new challenges.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of adapting to new situations and finding strength even when things don’t go as planned. This skill is vital in everyday life as change is constant and learning to handle it positively is crucial.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Anise develops a deep bond with her cousins and learns about the struggles they face, which are different from her own. This helps her to understand and empathize with perspectives outside of her immediate experiences.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to recognize and respect the feelings and hardships of others, fostering a sense of empathy and kindness towards people from different backgrounds and situations.
Example Lesson: Importance of family and support
Explanation: Throughout the book, Anise realizes the value of family connections and the support system they offer, especially in unfamiliar circumstances or when facing personal challenges.
Real-World Application: This lesson emphasizes the importance of maintaining family relationships and supporting each other through ups and downs. It teaches children the significance of a strong support network for emotional and mental well-being.
Example Lesson: Personal growth through hobbies
Explanation: Anise’s love for surfing is challenged when she moves away from the coast, yet she finds new activities and hobbies. This illustrates how exploring new interests can lead to personal development.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to try new activities and hobbies, which not only keeps life exciting but also contributes to skill development, personal growth, and discovering passions.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving and creativity
Explanation: The protagonist, Anise, uses creativity to tackle the problems she faces, like finding ways to stay connected to her surfing roots while in Nebraska.
Real-World Application: This lesson highlights the importance of creative problem-solving skills in everyday life. Children learn that they can often find innovative solutions to obstacles, enhancing their ability to think critically and creatively.